PEMBROKESHIRE sheep farmers are being urged to use weaning as a key opportunity to check ewe condition and deal with any problems before tupping.

With many local flocks now moving towards weaning, farmers are being advised to assess body condition score, as well as checking teeth, feet and udders, while there is still time to improve nutrition ahead of the breeding season.

Dr Alison Bond, Technical Services Manager at Rumenco, said close monitoring at this stage can help avoid major changes in ewe condition and improve overall flock productivity.

She said weaning at around 12 weeks was a good target, when lambs should usually be between 25kg and 30kg and taking very little milk from the ewe.

“There will of course be a focus on the lambs’ readiness for market at this stage, but it is equally important to put a hand across the ewes to assess their condition,” she said.

For lowland flocks, ewes with a body condition score below 2.5 at weaning should be given priority, as they may struggle to reach the target score of around 3.5 by tupping.

Those poorer condition ewes should be grouped separately, moved onto the best available grazing and given appropriate supplementary feeding where needed.

Dr Bond said waiting until closer to tupping could be less effective and may affect performance.

She added that ewes in good condition at tupping are more likely to scan with more lambs, produce healthier lambs after birth, and rear heavier lambs by eight weeks of age.

“It affects the whole production cycle, and not just one element,” she said.

The advice will be particularly relevant to farms across Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion, where sheep remain a major part of the rural economy and where grass quality can vary sharply depending on weather, soil type and stocking pressure.

Dr Bond said the aim should be to keep ewes between body condition score 2.5 and 3.5 throughout the cycle, avoiding big dips and peaks.

Routine checks at weaning, she said, give farmers the best chance of correcting problems before the tups go in two to three months later.

Pic: Farmers are being urged to check ewe condition at weaning to protect flock performance ahead of tupping (Pic: Tim Scrivener/Agriphoto).

Big turnout for event as enthusiasts gather at Dyfed Shire Horse Farm and reservoir

A LARGE convoy of classic, modified and performance vehicles descended on north Pembrokeshire this weekend as car enthusiasts from across west Wales took part in a popular summer run to Llys y Fran.

The event, organised by local enthusiast Pete Sharpe, saw dozens of vehicles travel together through the county, with participants describing a “massive turnout” for the mid-summer gathering.

Video footage shared online by organiser Matthew Cummings showed an impressive stream of vehicles making their way through the countryside, with drivers saying they had not realised quite how many cars had joined until seeing the convoy stretched out behind them.

One attendee wrote online: “Was near the back,” while another added: “We were at the back too!”

The run included a stop at the Dyfed Shire Horse Farm near Crymych, where owners and visitors gathered to admire a wide range of vehicles and socialise.

Many participants praised organiser Pete Sharpe for putting the event together, with several describing it as a “great day out” and thanking him for arranging the route and activities.

Sandra Collicott said: “Great day out and very well supported… well done Pete for organising it!”

Andy Davis joked: “Thanks Pete, great day – nice of you to sort out the weather as well.”

The convoy also called at Llys y Fran, where visitors stopped for refreshments, with staff reporting a steady stream of enthusiasts dropping in for tea and cake throughout the day.

The popularity of the event highlights the growing appeal of informal car meets across Pembrokeshire and west Wales, with enthusiasts regularly travelling significant distances to take part in scenic drives, showcase vehicles and raise awareness of local venues.

The gathering also helped promote upcoming motoring events in the county, including the annual Cadamm show at Dyfed Shire Horse Farm on Saturday, June 27, which will support local charities including the Oxygen Centre and Trotter’s Lounge in Pentood, near Cardigan.

Charity says children are still being exposed to disturbing abuse videos online

THE RSPCA has welcomed plans to ban under-16s from accessing social media, warning that online platforms have become “poisoned” by images and videos glorifying animal cruelty.

The charity said the move could help protect children from disturbing content and reduce the risk of young people becoming desensitised to animal suffering.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced that children under 16 in the UK will be barred from using social media platforms, in what the government says is a major step to protect young people online.

David Bowles OBE, the RSPCA’s Head of Public Affairs, said the charity supported measures aimed at shielding children from harmful material.

He said: “Social media channels have become poisoned by images and videos which glorify animal abuse, so the RSPCA welcomes moves that better protect children from this disturbing content.

“Our Animal Kindness Index highlights that 30% of people have witnessed animal cruelty online, and social media is by far the most likely place for them to stumble upon it.”

Mr Bowles said restrictions on animal cruelty content were included in the Online Safety Act three years ago, but young people were still being exposed to abuse material.

He added that the charity had seen cases where people copied cruelty they had viewed online.

The RSPCA said any ban must be backed by continued pressure on social media companies to remove content glorifying animal violence and to make it easier for users to report cruelty.

Mr Bowles said technology could still be used positively to connect young people with animals, including through the RSPCA’s Animal Futures game and its Summer of Kindness campaign, which encourages families to help animals in their local communities.

He said the proposed ban, alongside plans for a new natural history GCSE in England, could help create “a better world for every kind.”